An introduction to the study of phosphorus dynamics in Rondevlei
Master Thesis
1991
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
Phosphorus is one of the most important nutrients in aquatic environments because of the role that it plays in eutrophication. Increased amounts of phosphorus stimulate excessive growth of nuisance plants, which have negative impacts on waterbodies. Urban runoff and sediment fall under various sources of phosphorus. Sediments act as sources as well as phosphorus storage tanks. Processes of adsorption and desorption which occur -at the sediment water interface make phosphorus available for excessive plant growth. Information relating to these processes, and other limnological processes, serves as a guideline to the understanding of the courses and methods of control of eutrophication. In the study of phosphorus dynamics in Rondevlei, a small eutrophic lakelet in southern Africa, five stations were monitored during spring, summer, autumn and winter of 1988. Temperature, oxygen, electrical conductivity and pH were determined in the field. Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP), calcium (Ca), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Particulate Organic Matter (POM) were measured in the laboratory.
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Bibliography: leaves 120-134.
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Reference:
Semmelink, M. 1991. An introduction to the study of phosphorus dynamics in Rondevlei. University of Cape Town.